Outlook ‘cautiously optimistic’ for low falling number wheat

From the Capital Press

USDA research plant molecular geneticist Camille Steber says she is cautiously optimistic about the prospects of falling number in this year’s Pacific Northwest wheat crop. Steber is testing wheat samples for susceptibility to the starch damage problem.

Falling number is a test that measures wheat quality. Low falling number is caused when the enzyme alpha amylase breaks down starch in the grain. Overseas customers have strict requirements for falling number tests. Farmers receive lower prices for their grain if tests show a falling number below 300. Read the rest of the article.